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W. B. STRONG. COMBINATION TRUNK, BEDSTEAD, AND 00mm. Non 32,586.

Patented June 11, 1861.

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UNITED srn'rns PATENT onrion.

w. B. STRONG, on NEW YORK, N. Y,

[DRUNK CONVERTIBLE :INTO 'IABEDSTE'AD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,536, dated June 11, 1861.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W. B. STRONG, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Combination of an Army-Trunk and Bedstead or Couch; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, is a longitudinal section of my invention, shown adjusted as a bedstead ready for use, 00, m, Fig. 3, indicating the plane. of section. Fig. 2, is a transverse vertical section of my invention taken in the line 3 y, Fig. 1. Fig. 3, a transverse vertical section of the same, taken in the line a, a, Fig. l.

bimilar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

The object of this invention is to combine a trunk and bedstead in such a manner that the trunk may have nearly its usual available capacity for the reception of clothing and still admit of being readily converted into a bedstead when the latter is required.

The invention is designed for the use of the'army officers and such members thereof are allowed to carry trunks and who, while occupying the tents of a flying camp, cannot be generally provided with anything in the way of a bedstead to keep them elevated above the surface of the ground.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct myinvention f will proceed to describe it.

A, represents a trunk which may be con-. structed of'leather placed over a wood box in the usual way. The trunk, however, instead of opening at one side, as usual, opens at one end, the two parts a, a, of the trunk being of equal thickness, and the upper part a, admitting when necessary, of being turned entirely over so as to rest upon the ground, as shown in Fig. 1.

The two parts a, a, of the trunk are each rovided with a lid. These. lids which are designated by b, b, are each kept closed by a suitable button and said lids when closed bear against cleats e, which are secured to the inner sides of the parts a, a,

The lid 6, of the lower part a, of the which when not in use, are turned or folded within the frame 0, see Fig. l, in which the frame 0, and its legs are shown folded within the lid 1), in red. The lids b, b, may be formed of light wooden frames covered with cloth, and to the inner side of lid 6, there are attached straps d, d, by which bars e, when not required for use are secured to the inner side of said lid.

The two parts a, a, of the trunk receive clothing as usual, and in one of them an india-rubber mattress B'is placed, said mattress when required for use being inflated with air. The mattress when not inflated may be folded within a small compass.

There may be four or six bars 6, as de sired, four at least must be used. These bars have tenons f, at their lower ends which, when the trunk is converted into a bedstead, are fitted in mortises in the cleats e. The upper ends of the bars 6, are connected by cross bars h, and saidbars form a frame to receive a cover 0. which may be of light india-rubber cloth or any water-proof fabric. This cover C. when not in use, may be on the parts a, a, the frame 0, of lid 1), is

unfolded and the legs cl, adjusted downward to support said frame in an inclined position, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. This frame 0, forms the pillow of the couch, and when unfolded adds materially to the length of the couch.

hen necessary or preferable the waterproof cover 0. may be dispensed with and a mosquito net substituted for it. The latter would be of course preferable when good tents are provided andinsects are troublesome. The trunk when closed is not longer than an ordinary army trunk.

Having thus described my. invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letmosquito netting, and a suitable mattress ters Patent, is: B., all arranged to form a combined army A trunk formed of two equal parts a, a, trunk and bedstead or couch as set forth. connected b hinges at one end, and pro- W. B. STRONG. 5 vided with ids b, b, (the latter having a Vitnesses:

folding frame 0,) a framing combined of JAMES LAIRD,

bars 6, d, a cover 0. of Water-proof cloth or M. M. LIVINGSTON. 

